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.In my previous blog, you read how we reached Kolhapur from Mumbai and later took a bus to visit Gagangad Fort and Gagangiri Maharaj Ashram. If you missed reading the previous blog, please click on this link.
Upon reaching the bus stand after visiting Gagangad Fort we boarded the local bus for Kolhapur. Our bus was speeding away on the wet road leaving behind the usual lush greenery and overflowing rivers. These beautiful views became our constant companions as we were returning to Kolhapur. Outside the bus, it was raining quite heavily and the overcast conditions were making the climate very cool and we were enjoying every bit of it.
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I spoke to the bus conductor and told him that I would like to visit Mahalaxmi Temple so, please let me know at which stop I have to get down. He suggested that I should get down at Rankala bus stop, which is a few stops before the Kolhapur bus stand, and from there it’s a 5 minutes walk to the temple.
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At around 4.45 pm we reached Rankala bus stop. As suggested by the bus conductor we started to walk toward the temple however upon seeing a tea shop on the way I couldn’t resist gulping a cup of steaming hot tea.
Baarish Aur Chai …Hai kya combination !
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Shri Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple is in Kolhapur city of Maharashtra on the bank of the Panchganga river. The deity of this beautiful temple is Goddess Ambabai or Goddess Mahalakshmi. People refer to Goddess Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur to be Ambabai (meaning mother) and this temple is also known to be Shri Kollur Ambabai temple. This temple belongs architecturally to the Chalukya empire and was first made in the 7th century. This holy place is mentioned within many Puranas and texts.
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Legend.
Earlier Kolhapur was known to be Karvirpur. That’s why Goddess Mahalakshmi is called Karvirpur Nivaasini (one whose abode is Karvirpur)It is said that Lord Narayana’s wife Sri was angry with him because he did not say anything to Rishi Bhrigu when he kicked him. She felt that it was an insult not only to Sri Vishnu but also to his wife Mahalakshmi who lives within him. However, Sri Vishnu doesn’t get angry with Rishi Bhrigu and served him devotedly. Seeing his devotion despite being insulted by Rishi Bhrigu, Rishiji blessed Sri Vishnu. Still, Mahalakshmi was angry, and due to this she left the famous Tirumala hills of Andhra Pradesh and settled at Kolhapur to observe strict penance.
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LEGEND OF A DEMON CALLED KOLA
Another legend that is associated with Mahalakshmi is that she once slayed one demon called Kola who used to be a terror to the people of Karvirpur and before he perished he wished that this city should be called in his name and that Mahalakshmi should live within this city to protect its people, which was fulfilled. Mahalakshmi lives within the of Karavirapur or Kolhapur( So called because of the demon Kola). Thus, Goddess Uma as Goddess Mahalakshmi forever lives within Karvirpur.Ambabai (mahalaxmi) is wife of Lord Balaji ( Venkateshshwar of Tirupati, Andrapradesh). People visit Kolhapur to pray to Goddess Ambabai (Mahalaxmi) for a peaceful & healthy life. It is considered the darshan of Shri. Balaji of Tirumala is incomplete without visiting goddess Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur.
It was 5:10 pm when we reached the Mahalaxmi temple, to my relief, there wasn’t much of a crowd and it hardly took 15-20 minutes for us to have darshan. After coming out of the temple, In a huge hall that was attached to the temple itself, we saw large numbers of ladies, fully dressed up in Sari and Ornaments and having kumkum/Sindoor in front of them in a plate and the main pandit was reciting 1000 names of Mahalaxmi and those ladies kept taking a pinch of Sindoor and put it in the small vessel at the recitation of each name of the Goddess Mahalaxmi Mata.
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.My wife who is an ardent devotee, sat throughout this ceremony,( but outside the hall, ) and heard and saw the entire chantings of the names. Meanwhile, I took this opportunity to capture some photos of this incredible temple which boasts so many exquisite carvings and some really huge deep stambhs.
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The sun was fading, and we had to yet explore Rankala Lake. So time and time again I had to nudge my wife to get up, but she was in no mood to leave, she clearly told me that it was her good fortune that she is witness to such a beautiful ceremony. So please wait till it gets over. Ab Home minister ne bol diya, so bol diya!.
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It was 6.40 pm when we reached Rankala lake. Fortunately for us, there was still some daylight left, So we took a small stroll of the Lake, The calm water of the lake and the beautiful sky above it, actually made Rankala Lake all the more mesmerizing.
We spent a little more time gazing at the lake. and as it was getting dark so we decided to go back to our hotel.
Just outside the lake, there was a bus stop, from where we took a bus to the CBS Bus stand and reached our hotel. .
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Stay tuned to read Day 2 which turned out to be very exciting as many of our plans failed and we had to rework the program.
Info about Mahalaxmi temples aartis:( Source: http://www.mahalaxmikolhapur.com/ )
Mahalaxmi temple opens at 4.00 in the morning and throughout the day, various aartis(prayers) are conducted at different times of the day. I have listed below the details of all the poojas so conducted.
5:30 am – Kakad Aarti
After the opening of the temple, this aarti begins at 5:30 am with the washing of face and foot worship of the goddess by offering Butter and sugar. (Padyapuja &Mukhmarjan)
8:30 am – Morning Mahapuja
At 8:30 am the bell is rung and Goddess Panchamrut Abhishek , Shodshopchar puja is performed and Khir Naivaidya is offered.
11:30 am -Afternoon Mahapuja
Panchamrut Abhishek, Shodshopchar puja is performed at 11:30 am. Mahavaivadiya of Puranpoli is offered.
1.30 pm Alankar Puja
Alankar Puja is performed by offering. Mahavastra to the goddess and wearing traditional gold Ornaments on the body of the goddess.
8:00 pm -Dhupaarti
The bell is rung at 8 pm and Aarti starts at 8:15 pm. Ladu Karanji is offered as Navaidya.
10:15pm – Shejaarti:
Milk and Sugar are offered at 10:15 pm. The temple closes at 10:30 pm
How to Reach Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur
By Air :
The Nearest Airport to Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur is Pune Airport (AMD). The Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur is 243 kms from Pune Airport. There are regular flights from all metro cities in India to Pune Airport. Devotees can hire or book any mode of transport from outside the airport to reach the temple.
By Train :
The Nearest Railway Station to Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur is Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus. The Distance between Kolhapur Railway Station to Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur is 2.6 Kms. There are daily regular trains from many railway stations in India.
By Road/Bus :
Devotees can also reach Mahalaxmi Temple Kolhapur also by road & by car. There are regular bus services by State Transport Corporation from all major cities to Kolhapur. Many private bus operators also run from many cities and towns of Maharashtra to Kolhapur.
